New addition Brad Penny tossed seven strong innings as the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-2, to snap up a victory in the final game of the weekend three game set. 

Juan Uribe slammed a two run homer (13) off loser Chad Billingsley (12-10) and Travis Ishikawa picked up three hits, driving in a run with an RBI double, as the Giants picked up a critical victory heading into a three game set against the Colorado Rockies.  Brad Penny improved to 10-8 on the season, 3-0 with the Giants, surrendering only five hits and two runs in the effort.   Freddy Sanchez drove in two insurance runs with a two run single in a four run sixth.  The Giants slammed fifteen hits in the game as the offense woke from a four game slumber.

About time they started scoring.  Cain loses game one due to no offensive support.  The bullpen implodes in two straight games.   This was an awful series to watch.  Bochy should take a cue.  PLAY THESE PEOPLE FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.  Uribe was at short.  Ish at first.  Freddie at second.  Pablo at third.  THAT’S YOUR INFIELD!!!!  DO NOT DEVIATE!!!  They need to bust out the brooms again against the Rockies.   Currently 4 1/2 back, they need the sweep.  That’s all there is to it.  To lose this series would mean the series, in my humble opinion.  Hopefully Bochy will field a team that can put up some runs. 

The Giants next toss Tim Lincecum at home against the Colorado Rockies.  This series is the last time the two teams will face one another this season.  The Dodgers, probably too far ahead for the Giants to catch at this point, will host the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Youngster phenom Madison Bumgarner will start the middle game of the Padres series tonight, bumping an ‘injured’ Tim Lincecum, and making his major league debut.   Lincecum will be rested for two days and then re-evaluated.  No long term outage is expected. 

First of all, Timmy’s back seems to have flared up with spasms.  If this is true, I, along with the entire Giants fan base, pray it flares down.  However, more on that later.

Second, it’s awesome that Bumgarner will get a start.  I’m excited too see him pitch. 

The Giants will need to keep close tabs on Lincecum.  This guy’s the franchise.  No need to overpitch him (even if he can do it).  However, there was no warning of this injury.  Could it be a smokescreen?  Pushing the kid back to face the Dodgers?  I don’t know.  This is the pennant race.  It’s imperative that the team is clicking on all cylinders and, to be honest, the starting pitching is doing just that.  The inclusion of a rookie (no matter how good) into the mix might be a bit risky.  However, assuming that this is legit, then this is the biggest hammer the Giants can bring down in this situation.  It definitely looks better than either Ryan Sadowski, Joseph Martines, Justin Miller, or Kevin Pucetas.  The kid’s getting baptized by fire tonight.  We’ll see if he remembers his asbestos underwear. 

Too many roster moves have been happening since the last series for me to wait to write about until the end of the swing through Philly.  Let’s touch on those, right now. 

First things first, and most important for the time being (like say….tonight) is the addition of Brad Penny to the rotation.  He comes at a low cost to the Giants as I believe that the BoSox will be picking up most of this tab on the year.  Penny appears to be healthy and back in the league where he’s most comfortable.  I say this is a good move.  He’ll be starting tonight and installed at the #5 spot in the rotation.  This spot is one that might be of importance due to the neck and neck run for the wild card against the Rockies.  I like his veteran savvy more than any rookie that could occupy that spot.  That included Kevin Pucetas, whom I’ve been pumping up for several months.  We’ll see how he does.  His test starts tonight against the Phillies.

The other move is a recall from the minors that should turn the head of any Giants fans with a pulse.  Catcher Buster Posey, the Giants top pick in the 2008 draft, was brought up for the September roster expansion.  This is critical because Benjie Molina has been fighting a nagging leg injury for about a week now.   Eli Whiteside isn’t what the team needs in a starter.  Posey’s excelled wherever he’s played.  I hope he’s plugged in for more than just token ‘cup of coffee’ starts.  If he continues his hitting charge, it might be bye bye for Molina in the offseason.  Also, should Molina be unable to go in the post-season, the team could plug Posey into his roster spot.  He should be suited up for Wednesday’s game. 

And it all starts tonight…..